On June 23, 2003, Linden labs created a free client program known as Second Life. This program allows users, or residents, to interact with each other in a virtual world by using avatars. Thanks to this program, residents are able to explore, socialize, and create and trade virtual property, and services with each other. Second Life has become one of the most popular programs used by various age ranges from 16 to 60, but how do you enter this world and get your own avatar?

Step 1 Visit Second Life

The first thing you want to do is log onto the Second Life website at secondlife.com. At the front page, you will see links such as "What Is Second Life", "World Map", "Shopping", "Buy Land", "Community", and "Help". It might be a good idea if you've never used Second Life before to explore the homepage and learn what you can do, and get a good idea of what you want to do in your soon-to-be new virtual home. Once you've gotten a good feel for the program, look to the top right hand corner. You will see "Login", "Search", and an orange bar which says: "Join Now, It's fast, free, and easy!" Click that button!

Step 2 Create an Account

Now you will be sent to another page. It'll read "Create your second life Personality" at the top. Now create a username. This can be anything you wish and as long as no one else in world has it, you will be able to use it. A good example would be something like this: Lyandra, Sarah3542, or Pauliethegreat. Once you've picked a name you like, now enter your password. It has to be between 6 - 16 characters, and it's always good to have a few numbers thrown in so it'll be harder for other people to figure out your password. Example: csaucier3453.

Step 3 Choose Your Look

The next thing you have to do is pick your starting look; you will be giving 12 opinions of which you can start yourself off with. Pick the one you feel most comfortable with, and don't worry if you don't like any of them. You will be able to customize your avatar once you're in the world.

Step 4 Security Information

The next section, You'll have to fill out your e-mail address, date of birth, security question and answer, and do a security check. An important thing to remember is that you -have- to be at least 16 years old. Once you've filled all those out, hit enter and the next page will tell you to authorize your account by confirming your registration through e-mail.

Step 5 Confirm Registration

Go to whatever e-mail provider you use, and log in. Once you're logged in, look for an e-mail from the service and the title: <Nickname you picked> Please activate your account. You may have to check your junk or spam folder in case it got sent there. Click the e-mail and it'll give you a link to activate your account. Click and wait for the page to load.

Step 6 Set Up a Basic Account & Download

Once the page loads, you'll be able to pick the basic account, which is free, or the premium account. For brand new users, I would start with a basic account. If you wish to change your account at a later time, you can, so you don't have to worry about that. Click Download & Install Second Life, and wait for the SL program to download onto your computer.

Step 7 Sign In

Now you're just about done. Once everything is downloaded and installed, you will see the Second Life icon on your desktop. Double click, and wait for it to load. Once loaded, you'll see the options: First name, Last name, Password, and Location. Fill out the First name, using the one you picked, i.e. Lyandra, and for Last name place Resident, than fill in your password and hit connect. Once it's starting to load, a Terms of Service will pop up, read it carefully, and than click the "I agree" box, then the continue button.

Step 8 Explore Second Life

8. Once you've logged on, You'll enter "Welcome Island". Here you will learn tips and little tricks that will helps make your Second Life experience a lot easier. Once you go through each room, which there's five different ones, when you get to the fifth room, you will see a sign that will give you different options from Shopping, Explore places, Meet others, and find help. Click whichever one you want to do, and a map will come up. Hit Teleport and now you'll be able to explore different parts of Second Life.

Now that you have your avatar completed, and learned how to move, explore, sit, and other basic things. Go and see what fun, exciting, places you can go to. You go to New York, Japan, outer space, and even mystical lands, all with just a click of the button.